Research in the Shah Laboratory

Aurora A, located in 20q13 amplicon, is overexpressed in several types of cancers: prostate, breast, ovarian, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatocellular, gliomas, nonendometriod and aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to name a few. Several small molecule inhibitors against AA and Aurora B (AB) are in clinical trials. A few target both (e.g., VX-680, VX-667, AT-9283, R763, PHA-739358). Others are relatively specific for AA (MLN8054) or AB (AZD1152). Phase I and Phase II clinical data show acceptable toxicity profiles and promising clinical efficacy. AA inhibition sensitizes tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting that AA overexpression overcomes mitotic spindle checkpoint controls induced by these agents. We have identified several oncogenic targets of Aurora A kinase.

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